Fred. Olsen – In Search Of The Northern Lights – 2022

Departure from Dover, United Kingdom

Board the ship mid-afternoon before you set sail later that evening.

At Sea

Enjoy 2 days of cruising.

Ålesund, Norway

Ålesund is Norway’s popular, art-nouveau epic of towers and turrets, ornaments and balconies, steeples and spires. The city’s delightful pedestrianised streets, offer a diverse mix of art galleries, shops and lively cafés, and lead to the 418 steps that climb Mount Aksla. The Fjellstua restaurant and café at the summit is the perfect place to sit and soak up panoramic views of this attractive city, the archipelago, and the Sunnmore Alps.

Cruising Rørvik, Torghatten, Seven Sisters Mountain and Arctic Circle Norway

Rørvik is a picturesque island village located on the eastern part of the Vikna archipelago, in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway. This pretty village serves as the administrative centre for the municipality and has a population of approximately 3,000 inhabitants.

A scenic cruise along the shores of Toget Island allows you see one of Norway’s most astonishing natural wonders – Torghatten Mountain. The mountain is known affectionately as ‘the mountain with the hole’.

Then, we pass the majestic chain of peaks overlooking the shipping channel, the Seven Sister mountain range is an awe-inspiring backdrop to the myriad of islands and Norwegian landscapes.

Then lastly, crossing the Arctic Circle takes you into the lands of prolonged days and midnight sun. It is visible on a map – north of which the sun can be seen above the horizon even at midnight during the summer months. However, during the winter the sun stays below the horizon for most of the day.

Narvik, Norway

Founded in 1903, Narvik is a relatively new city but still offers a fascinating history. Located north of the Arctic Circle, the city’s harbour is surprisingly ice-free, however, there are still a number of stunning Arctic sights to see, including the Narvikfjellet Mountain.

Although over 400km north of the Arctic Circle, Narvik’s harbour is ice-free and in use all year as a port for iron ore exports. Although inhabited since prehistoric times, the town was not established until 1903 when the Ofoten Railway wascompleted. The line is a tourist attraction in itself, running 42km through magnificent scenery to the Swedish border. A cable car ride from the centre of town to the viewpoint on the Narvikfjellet Mountain gives fabulous views over the Ofotfjord and surrounding area.

Close to the town centre is the Ofoten Museum, with displays of local history including 5,000-year-old rock carvings. The Nordland Red Cross War Memorial Museum commemorates the occupation of Narvik in the Second World War. Narvik Church is a fine example of Scandinavian architecture, with a painted altar piece by Eilif Pettersen, while the northernmost animal park, Polar Park, is worth a look.

Alta, Norway

As one of the best places on earth to witness the Northern Lights in winter, and experience the sensation of the Midnight Sun in summer, Alta is a truly magical destination. Originally inhabited by the indigenous Sami people, the area has a fascinating cultural history. Rock carvings in nearby Hjemmeluft are believed to date from around 4,200 to 500 BC. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the carvings on display in the Alta Museum are evidence of the existence of human activity in the far north during prehistoric times. You will have plenty of time to explore here as you will stop for an overnight.

Tromsø, Norway

The island city of Tromsø is one of northern Norway’s true delights. Rich with neo-classical architecture, the city known as the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’ contains the largest number of wooden houses in Northern Norway, and its old world charm makes it a joy to explore.

A major cultural hub above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is famed as a viewing point for the colourful Northern Lights that often light up the night sky. The city’s most recognisable landmark is the must-visit Arctic Cathedral. Built in 1965, the cathedral’s distinctive iceberg-shaped design was inspired by the landscapes of Northern Norway and features a beautiful glass mosaic.

The many museums and galleries in the city include the Perspektivet Museum – set in a neo-classical building built in 1838 that has exhibits from Tromsø’s past, plus the Art Museum of Northern Norway and the Mack Brewery. Tromsø is also home to Polaria, an Arctic aquarium that is popular with locals and tourists alike. The aquarium’s tanks are full of Arctic fish species, and the friendly bearded seals always delight the visiting crowds.

Tromsø, and the stunning landscapes that surround it, are best viewed from the top of the Storsteinen Mountain, which stands 420 metres above sea level. Accessible via cable car, the peak is easy to reach and one of the most popular spots on the edge of the city.

Molde, Norway

Depending on your preference, Molde is the town of roses or jazz. Sitting alongside the Romsdalfjord, the town benefits from rich, fertile soil and a mild climate and the town’s gardens – both public and private – are full of flowers, especially roses. In the market square is a statue of the Little Rose Seller.

Every July, Molde hosts a famous jazz festival, which takes over the whole town, with many of the concerts being held in the Romsdal Museum. This is one of the biggest folk museums in Norway, with over fifty historic buildings including farmhouses, smokehouses and a small chapel. On Town Street are local town houses from the pre-war period. The Fisheries Museum is also in the open air, with old houses, fishermen’s shacks, a school and even a cod-liver oil factory.

Moldemarka – a vast recreational hiking area located just north of Molde city centre – is one of the most popular attractions with locals and visitors alike. Famous for the Molde panorama – a magnificent view of over 222 mountains, lush green hills and the North Atlantic Ocean – Moldemarka has a network of easily accessible paths and is easy to climb, hike and ski all year round.

At Sea

Enjoy 2 days of cruising.

Arrival at Dover, United Kingdom

After an early breakfast, disembark the ship for your journey home.